Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Red

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, High, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Wind Break

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Arctic blue willow is a deciduous shrub with a rounded habit, growing about 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. It has long, slender, supple branches that move with the breeze but that still seem to hold under the weight of the little migrating birds that perch on it. Its leaves are narrow and lance-like, and of a grey green to blue-green color. Fall color is yellow. 'Nana' is a commonly available cultivar, growing about 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Not drought tolerant, but useful for those low, moist spots in the yard where nothing else will grow; a nice hedge.

Grow in well drained to wet soils in full sun to light shade. Tolerates heavy clay soils, and does so surviving on less water than it typically desires. Grow at the edges of lawns or in low spots that seem to collect water. It doesn't require pruning, though the long, slender branches are useful for basket and other weaving projects. If desiring to harvest the wood for weaving or fence-making, prune to renovate in late winter to early spring, before new growth emerges; see Guides.